Hyphenated Systems Sells Tool to Harvard Researchers

Photonics.comJul 2007
Hyphenated Systems LLC of Burlingame, Calif., a provider of hybrid microscopy solutions for 3-D imaging and metrology in micro- and nanotechnology, announced the sale of its 3D MAP (microfluidics analysis platform) to Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass. The instrument will be used by professor George Whitesides’ Research Group, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, to study the interactions between structure and flow in microfluidic devices. The system, the second tool Hyphenated Systems has sold to Harvard, adds the capability of inverted microscope optics, which permits enhanced access to the microfluidic device for additional sensors and experimental apparatus, the company said. “With microfluidics, we can isolate very small quantities of biological and biochemical agents and precisely control their flow, mixing and distribution to perform complex assays and biochemical determinations quickly and easily. We see potential applications ranging from the detection of minute quantities of toxic substances to the discovery of new drugs and bioactive molecules. We expect 3D MAP to play an important role in our investigations,” said Max Narovlyansky, a graduate student in The Whitesides Research Group.

The use of atoms, molecules and molecular-scale structures to enhance existing technology and develop new materials and devices. The goal of this technology is to manipulate atomic and molecular particles to create devices that are thousands of times smaller and faster than those of the current microtechnologies.

The technology of generating and harnessing light and other forms of radiant energy whose quantum unit is the photon. The science includes light emission, transmission, deflection, amplification and detection by optical components and instruments, lasers and other light sources, fiber optics, electro-optical instrumentation, related hardware and electronics, and sophisticated systems. The range of applications of photonics extends from energy generation to detection to communications and...